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TAMPA, Fla. — Stanford coach Tara VanDerveer probably will start counting Tennessee Lady Vols the first time she watches the replay of Tuesday night’s national championship. And the final total will amaze her.
There were only five. It just seemed like six every time a Stanford player got her shaky hands on the basketball at the St. Pete Times Forum.
The big question before the national championship game: Would the Lady Vols have enough offense?
Offense? Who needs offense when you have a defense like the one UT wrapped around the Cardinal in a 64-48 victory?
Never mind that UT superstar Candace Parker wasn’t at full strength because of an injured left shoulder. The defense was at super strength.
So what else is new?
UT won its seventh national last year by holding its Final Four opponents to 50. It won No. 8 in similar fashion.
Two nights after defeating LSU 47-46 in the semifinals, the Lady Vols forced 25 turnovers, including 14 in the first half when they took control of the game.
They didn’t just throttle Stanford’s offense. They made it unrecognizable.
Stanford averaged 85 points in five consecutive NCAA tournament games on the way to the national championship. It accomplished that with precision passing, exceptional perimeter shooting and the overall brilliance of four-time All-American Candice Wiggins.
None of that was evident against the Lady Vols, who repeatedly throttled Stanford’s precision offense with full-court pressure and half-court traps.
“We know what to expect, but we can’t simulate that in practice,” VanDerveer. “They were extremely aggressive.
“We were not able to run anything offensively. People could not get open whether it was against their press or half-court defense. … They took us out of everything they were trying to do.”
Stanford got a preview of the nightmare to come in its semifinal victory against Connecticut. It struggled mightily when UConn went to a full-court press in a belated comeback attempt.
UT coach Pat Summitt took note.
“As soon as Connecticut went to the press, it really bothered them,” Summitt said. “I felt like our size and having Nicky (Anosike) on the ball would be a good option for us.”
The 6-foot-4 Anosike looked 8-4 every time she extended her arms above Stanford ball-handlers. She had six first-half steals, 12 points and eight rebounds.
Anosike sometimes stole the ball by overpowering the smaller Cardinal players on the perimeter. Other times, she surprised the Cardinal guards with her quickness.
“They’re so big,” Wiggins said. “They’re in passing lanes, so you can’t have any sloppy passes. I think that’s what happened early in the game.”
Actually, it happened early and late.
When Stanford cut the lead to nine with 7:57 to play, its next four possessions consisted of a travel, an airball, a Parker steal and a missed layup. The cumulative failure could be traced to a devastating first half during which UT established its defensive dominance.
“A lot of people underestimate our defense,” Parker said. “When you get on the court, it’s different than what you see on TV.”
It also was different than what Stanford saw in December when it defeated the Lady Vols 73-69 in overtime. The increased intensity and efficiency came with the higher stakes for a program that measures its success in national championships.
“My mindset was I wasn’t going home without a championship,” Anosike said. “If we lost, I was going to live here. … It would be over my dead body before I would leave here with a loss.”
Sports editor John Adams may be reached at 865-342-6284 or adamsj@knoxnews.com
© 2008, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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Posted by 98reax on April 9, 2008 at 2:58 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Anosiki was her brilliant self tonight. Bird was key as well. Shannon was on fire. Baugh, was that Baugh? First time I've ever seen her show any kind of emotion. I cried when she left the court admonishing her team to "Come on, let's go." She made huge stats in a short span, but her tenacity inspired her team even greater.
My lucky '97 Championship T-shirt got the mojo working at home too. Tonight was the first time this season I've sat and watched every second of a Lady Vol game. Of coarse I was handcuffed to the chair and gagged with a sock, but nevertheless, I endured and was blessed with an awesome spectacle of a matchup.
I really don't understand these comments how we've played poorly in the last 3 games? I recollect we beat a solid #2 seed A&M who had tremendous momentum coming into the regional having knocked out Duke. Then we defeated a mighty, mighty LSU, albeit on a last milli-second put-back, a win is a win.
'Dismantled' is a relative term. We definitely dismantled Stanford's offense, but we previously dismantled the hopes and dreams of ORU, Purdue, the Irish, A&M, and we orange crushed the LSU Tigers' hopes of making their #5 appearance their #1 grand finale.
Posted by sevenmaxims on April 9, 2008 at 8:07 a.m. (Suggest removal)
They win on effort every time.
Posted by rrvolfan on April 9, 2008 at 8:11 a.m. (Suggest removal)
JOHN ADAMS BYLINE = IGNORE THIS ARTICLE
Posted by GreerVol22 on April 9, 2008 at 8:13 a.m. (Suggest removal)
rrvol, only 4 post including mine. I think the public feels the same way.
Posted by 55Vol on April 9, 2008 at 8:19 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Hey John Adams, and KeepBrucePearl a.k.a. PearlOwnsFulmer, a.k.a. Foolmore a.k.a. VolCR, a.k.a. CRVol........... Summitt is the real god at UT...Book It!!!
Summitt- 8 NC
984 wins
182 losses
The spread between her wins and losses is more than all the wins of Pearl and Fulmer combined. She could coach ANY team at UT and more than likely be successful doing it.
Posted by WorkinLikeHeck on April 9, 2008 at 9:23 a.m. (Suggest removal)
LOL!!!! Congrats to the Lady Vols. At least Summitt didn't try to compare Parker to Ainge.
Posted by givehim6 on April 9, 2008 at 10:56 a.m. (Suggest removal)
My hats off to you lady vols. I was trying to remember if there is any other coach in any collage sport who has won more that 8 nat. championships? Does any one know? Anyway, great year ladys as usual. GO LADY VOLS!
Posted by imw8n4u on April 9, 2008 at 11:10 a.m. (Suggest removal)
givehim6 - John Wooden at UCLA had 10, Summit is driven to surpass that total like Tiger is to pass Jack
Posted by spam247buster on April 9, 2008 at 11:13 a.m. (Suggest removal)
55_Vol, you should really try to relax.
We ALL know that Pat Summitt is an excellent coach, even without you reminding us.
WAY TO GO, LADY VOLS!!! Defense wins championships!
Posted by Kwitcherbellyachin on April 9, 2008 at 11:13 a.m. (Suggest removal)
givehim6, John Wooden won 10 titles with the UCLA Bruins.
Posted by TheVolMan on April 9, 2008 at 11:23 a.m. (Suggest removal)
rrvolfan's comment = Weenie who couldn't ignore this article. LOL...
As usual, great work by JA.
Posted by murrayvol on April 9, 2008 at 12:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Haven't had time to break down the film but the defense looked pretty good in real time. Good article John.
Posted by TurboFan on April 9, 2008 at 2:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Only got to watch the final 13 mintues but I noticed several times two ladies in white getting caught in switching off of screens and chasing the same player leaving one lady in red open, but she didn't take the shot! Cardinal confidence was long gone by that time I take it.
Posted by LVVOLJJ on April 9, 2008 at 5:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Looks like the lady who is at the Summitt of coaching does have it down Pat. That game really put her pre game comments about winning NC's with defense and on the boards take on a new meaning. The whole TEAM really showed up with energy to spare, if there is such a thing. The TV spot with Candice talking about coming to UT to win a National Championship was right on. They all did and they would have it no other way! They obviously wanted it the most. That was one of the best ever Volunteer outings in any sport. What talent! What balance! Way to go Ladies! Thank you! J
Posted by murrayvol on April 9, 2008 at 9:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)
mcbrim: Thanks but I've got a couple of Weather Channel reruns to watch.
Posted by TurboFan on April 9, 2008 at 10:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)
9 a.m. Great Gator Yard Sale Opens At North End Zone Gator Sportshop....special: Ron Zook trophy case, empty.
9:30 a.m. Gate 7 Opens To Fans...Gate 12 opens with donation barrel for rich alumni.
9:30 a.m.-3rd Quarter Picture Availability With 2007 Heisman Trophy...fans surprised by cardboard cut out of Superman with hole to stick your face in.
9:30 a.m.-11 a.m. Player Autograph Session (North End Zone Concourse)...Ebay store at South End zone.
10:30 a.m. All Gates Open To Ben Hill Griffin Stadium...let the lions loose, the christians are here!
11 a.m.-1 p.m. ESPN College GameDay Live From Northeast Corner Of Ben Hill Griffin Stadium...Lee Corso's head explodes when can't decide which team mascot hat to put on.
11 a.m.-11:45 a.m. Student Flag Football Game...rules revised from last year to reduce goring incidents with flag pole.
12:40 p.m. Student Skills Contest, Fastest Gator On Campus...Fifi on hand to entice the contestants out of the water.
1:07 p.m. Orange and Blue Debut Kickoff (ESPN)...debutants confused that there is a ball but no dancing.
Halftime Unveiling of Stadium Sign Recognizing Tim Tebow’s 2007 Heisman Trophy...cardboard cutout of Superman leaping tall buildings.
No offense, McB.
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